28.7.10

EBDON STATEMENT

World Snooker have released a very strange statement on behalf of Peter Ebdon, the 2002 world champion.

It reads: "I would like to make it known that I consider that I will not be in a position to play to the best of my ability in my Roewe Shanghai Masters qualifying match in Sheffield next week."This is down to personal circumstances, including the fact that I am getting re-married in Hungary this weekend. Since playing in a recent tournament in Thailand I have not been able to practise, and by the time the qualifiers come around I will not have played for ten days or more."I know just how bad I can be when I don't feel properly prepared as I am the type of player who needs to practise hard in order to play to a reasonable standard."As always, I will be doing my utmost to win what is a very important match for me but in truth, my levels of expectation will not be very high."I've never - ever - known a snooker player issue a statement to tell everyone they aren't likely to win a match.

And I wouldn't encourage it either. It seems unfair on his eventual opponent, who is basically now under pressure to win the match as Ebdon apparently doesn't expect to.

What do odds compilers do now? Ebdon would ordinarily start favourite against any one of his four possible opponents: Michael White, Liu Chuang, Michael Judge or Dominic Dale.

My advice to the bookies is not to price the match up at all. It could create exactly the kind of stink the game doesn't need right now.

I'd have thought World Snooker would appreciate that more than anyone.

I can sort of understand where he is coming from, he was accused of match-fixing while he and his wife were separating and maybe a little bit of paranoia has set in. Maybe World Snooker should have just released a statement saying he was getting married since it would then be obvious he won't be as focused as he usually is.

If every player were to give a snapshot of their form and chances at any given time, there would be dozens who would be either short of match practice, playing poorly or something else. It seems an odd statement to make if you believe that Ebdon had no case to answer in respect of the allegations surrounding Ebdon-Wenbo. Odder still given that few firms price up qualifying round matches up.

Perhaps there is some mileage left in that case that the public don't know about? Either way, the sooner the public's gaze is directed away from betting the better, and statements like this won't help to do that.

It releases a lot of pressure to perform and transfers it all to his opponent.

The information shouldn't really have been made public, but then again, had it been kept quiet, a priveleged few would have known and been able to orchestrate a betting coup.

Absolutely nothing wrong in that. The gambling world relies on information that might give the punter a bit of an advantage.

Unfortunately, for snooker at present, and Ebdon particularly, a coup would look extremely like match fixing, and where the game needs to revamp its image and keep attracting bookies sponsorship, the last thing it needs are match fixing allegations.

Ebdon is probably mindful of the fact that there will be some people aware of his current circumstances who may try and profit from it (as may have happened in the Wenbo game). He has therefore taken steps to inform THE ENTIRE gambling community who can judge whether to price up or bet on the match in full possession of the facts.

It seems an entirely reasonable thing to do given the current clouds hanging over the sport.

Good luck to him with his wedding - but given there are only 7 "full" ranking tournaments couldn't he have arranged it for another weekend?

Seriously though, given that betting websites are the most likely source of future sponsors for ranking and non-ranking events, it isn't good for a high profile player to (effectively) challenge bookmakers not to offer a market on his matches.

Also very interesting to read on Nick Harris' site about Brandon Parker judging Higgins' appeal - how recently was this?

Anon 2:24 - there are plenty of people who bet on qualifiers, and there are bookmakers as well as the exchanges which cater this need.

Anyone who now bets on this match (either for or against Ebdon) will do so knowing that his preparation is far from ideal. This is surely better than a minority of people knowing and bookmakers suspending betting or informing the WSA of "irregular betting patterns".

This is an action of the highest stupidity. With a cloud already hanging over the sport, Ebdon and World Snooker have now laced the whole tournament with a completely avoidable prejudice. It seems unbelievable to think that this slipped past Barry Hearn. No matter what the state of his preparation is, there is no reason why Ebdon could not win a couple of matches or even the tournament. Snooker is a highly fluctuating sport and Ebdon is, after all, a world and UK champion and a top 16 stalwart. Now anything but an immediate exit from Ebdon can be regarded with suspicion as I can only presume the odds are now inflated in favour of a pro-Ebdon punter. Ebdon has always had his eccentric moments but you would have thought he had the intuition to not make such an enormous rod for his own back.

What on earth are World Snooker playing at by releasing such a statement? I think if Ebbo goes on to win, whoever his opponent is will have grounds for complaint. I thought BH would have had a tighter reign on them than this. Surely he was consulted before its publication?

It's something I haven't seen in sport for a fair while, making your excuses known in advance. I'm sure it used to happen in athletics, people would let it be known their hamstrings were a bit tight, or they had a cold, so there was a ready-made reason there when they lost. (No names, as I can't prove and don't want me/Dave to get sued)

It's unfair on his opponents, all of whom are talented players in their own right, and at least two of whom would stand a good chance of beating Peter in normal circumstances, but now they're under increased psychological pressure to win, and any win will be tainted with "ah, but Peter wasn't at his best"

I have checked the calendar and it tells me today is July 28th not April 1st. If ex-referee Allan Chamberlain reads this he won't know whether to laugh or cry. But one thing is certain, even after all this time, he will be seething with anger. The only advice I can offer Ebdon is to keep taking the tablets but halve the dose.

(Barry Hearn is supposed to be a PR guru - so why is the WS website an utter disgrace. And better late than never 110 Sport in reporting Alex's death. But who really needs these sites when we have David Hendon and Clive Everton - big up to you boys)

actually, this happens "all the time" in horseracing where trainers or jockeys give interviews maybe doubting the horses fitness, or its homework not being that good....only to see it romp home as expected, or as occasionally is the case, run below par.

its not an exact similarity, as other horses wont know what is being said, but the jockeys on them do, and it is linked directly with how betting patterns could alter.

As a Hungarian, I would be pleased to know more about his marriage here. But it seems that Ebdon doesn’t wish to make more details of it public. Anyway, the Hungarian Grand Prix will be in the centre of attention this weekend, so I don’t think that the local media will report on it.

its a sad pr stunt by peter . Bit like the ponytail when he turned pro and sky tv loved it. Hes trying anything to keep in the news and unfortunately you lot have fell for it. Loads of players have of the table problems ,thats life. But they get on with it. Peter has always like to be heard.

I think Ebdon is terrified that he may be accused of match fixing should he play badly and lose next week.Some snooker publications have never forgotten the 5-0 loss to Wenbo and the valid excuse for this defeat which fell on deaf ears afterwards.This statement has been made out of fear of more career threatening accusations.Some might say he has done the right thing, as this paints a picture of his life and preparations for this match.

id bet 956 doesnt know peter, at least not as well as i do (which isnt a great deal, but i still do)

he is a very private person and if it not for him getting on with his life after the terrible emotions of the last couple of years and actually being happy again, then he wouldnt have said a word. i still dont think WS should have published it...they should have thanked PE for the info and kept it for themselves in the hope nothing came of it, but that way they knew in advance AND ANY OPPONENET WOULDNT KNOW EITHER...at least not the extent

7 06 .i know peter very well thanks.as i said every player top 16 or otherwise has had problems with thier private lives at one time or another . Some things a lot worse than peter but they keep it private and get on with it. This is an ego thing. He must feel very self important to even feel he needed to make this statement.As i said before its a stunt ,ponytail, crying ,falling on the floor , bringing out a dubious song ,you name it hes tried it .Just get on with it Peter like more dignified players have.